This post is part of a blog series revealing the table of contents of upcoming Issue Nineteen. As is our custom, we’ll be discussing one article per weekday in order to give you a taste of what is to come.
The subscription window that includes Issue Nineteen is open now.
To get Issue Nineteen when it ships in early September, you can sign up for a subscription here. If you aren’t sure about your subscription status, you can reach out to Grace at info@mortiseandtenonmag.com. Keep in mind though, if you are set to auto-renew, you never have to worry about getting the next issue of Mortise & Tenon. Issue Eighteen is coming your way soon!
___________________________________
Exam – Federal Card Table
After the long-standing legal prohibitions (and social stigmas) against card-playing and games of chance slowly lifted in the 17th century in the West, a new form of table emerged as a place to gather for evening amusements with a deck of cards. The card table featured a folding surface supported by a swinging fly leg, offering plenty of space for rambunctious amusement. Urban craftsmen often embellished their card tables with figured woods, inlay, and intricate turnings, as these were centerpieces in a home and made to impress.
In Issue Nineteen, we will examine one such piece – a Federal card table dating to the first half of the 19th century. From its solid mahogany leaves to the figured veneer on the rails, this piece offered understated elegance for the early American parlor. One can easily imagine a group of sharply dressed players gathered around in the lamplight, throwing down cards and raising wagers.
As usual, every detail will be considered. Rail dovetails, the flawlessly executed knuckle joint for the fly leg, and the fascinating stacked laminations for the front of the structure are all on display, full of information about how this table was built. Every tool mark shares a glimpse into the thought process of the maker and offers valuable insight for us today.
Subscribe now to reserve your copy of Issue Nineteen.